bruh why would anyone choose paper check in 2025? dd is the way

I'm in a similar situation - filed 1/30 and still waiting on my paper check! From what I've researched, most states are running 6-10 weeks for paper checks right now due to increased volume. You can usually track status on your state's tax department website, though some are better than others. Hang in there!

This is so frustrating! I went through something similar and here's what worked for me: First, send your employer a certified letter requesting your W-2 - this creates a paper trail. Then call the IRS at 800-829-1040 like others mentioned. While you wait, gather ALL your pay stubs from 2024 to calculate your total wages and withholdings. If you don't have them, check if your employer has an online portal where you can download them. The IRS can issue a CP2000 notice to employers who don't comply, and they face penalties of $50-$280 per missing W-2. Don't let them push you around - you have rights!

Adding to all the great advice here - if you do end up having to file Form 4852 (substitute W-2), make sure you're as accurate as possible with the numbers from your last paystub. The IRS will eventually match it against what your employer reports, so any discrepancies could trigger additional correspondence. Also, even if you file the substitute form, keep following up with both your employer and the IRS - sometimes the threat of IRS involvement is enough to get employers moving quickly. Good luck Maya, this situation sucks but you definitely have options!

Another security tip that's saved me from sketchy tax sites: always check if they have a physical address and legitimate contact information. I've seen too many "discount" e-file sites that only list a P.O. box or have customer service numbers that go straight to voicemail. Legitimate tax preparation companies should have clear contact info, including a real business address you can verify. You can often cross-check this with state business registration databases to make sure the company is actually registered where they claim to be located. Also, be wary of sites that pressure you with "limited time offers" or countdown timers for their pricing. Tax season deadlines are real, but legitimate companies don't need artificial urgency tactics to get your business. If they're using high-pressure sales tactics, that's usually a sign to look elsewhere. One more thing - before committing to any service, try calling their customer support line during business hours. If you can't reach a real person or get transferred around endlessly, imagine how frustrating it'll be if you have issues with your actual tax filing!

I've been using FreeTaxUSA for the past three years after switching from TurboTax, and it's been great! They're definitely IRS-authorized and I've never had any security issues. The interface isn't as flashy as the big names, but it gets the job done for a fraction of the cost. One tip that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're unsure about a tax site's legitimacy, you can actually call the IRS Practitioner Priority Service line and ask them to confirm if a specific company is an authorized e-file provider. The number is on their website under "Tax Professionals." They maintain the official database and can tell you definitively if a company is registered properly. Also, legitimate sites will always give you a confirmation number when your return is accepted by the IRS. If a site claims they've filed your taxes but can't provide an IRS confirmation number within 24-48 hours, that's a major red flag that something isn't right. For anyone still nervous about trying smaller companies - start by checking if they're listed on the IRS website's "Choose an E-file Provider" tool. If they're not listed there but claim to be IRS-authorized, that's an automatic no-go in my book.

10 Question for anyone who understands this stuff - does it matter what state you're in for how the 1095-A affects your taxes? I've heard some states expanded Medicaid and others didn't, and that can change how the marketplace plans and subsidies work.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - the 1095-A reconciliation process can be absolutely brutal, especially when you're already dealing with health issues and financial constraints. From what you've described, it sounds like your partner's raise likely pushed your household income over a premium tax credit threshold. The ACA subsidies have some sharp "cliffs" where even a small income increase can dramatically reduce your credit or eliminate it entirely. A few things that might help your immediate situation: 1. Check if you can still contribute to a traditional IRA for 2024 (you have until the tax filing deadline). This reduces your MAGI, which is what they use to calculate your premium tax credit. 2. Look for any tax credits or deductions you might have missed - education credits, child tax credit, earned income credit, etc. 3. If you still end up owing, the IRS offers payment plans with very reasonable monthly payments based on your financial situation. Most importantly, contact the marketplace RIGHT NOW to report your income change for 2025. This will adjust your current advance premium tax credits so you don't face this same shock next year. The fact that you can't work due to health issues might also make you eligible for additional assistance programs. Don't give up - there are often more options available than people realize.

This has been such an enlightening discussion! As someone new to handling my grandmother's taxes, I was completely intimidated by the Social Security taxation rules, but this thread has made it so much clearer. One thing I wanted to share that might help others - I found it really useful to work backwards from the final taxable income number to double-check my calculations. So for the original example with Sydney's aunt: if we calculated $14,500 of Social Security as taxable, plus $20,000 IRA and $6,000 dividends, that's $40,500 total income. Subtract the $15,400 standard deduction and you get $25,100 taxable income. Then I could verify this made sense given her income level and tax bracket. Also, I appreciate everyone mentioning the importance of the SSA-1099 form and using gross amounts. I almost made that same mistake! The Medicare premium deductions had me confused about which number to use. For anyone else helping elderly relatives with this, I found it helpful to sit down with them and go through each income source one by one, then build up to the provisional income calculation. Taking it step by step made it much less overwhelming for both of us. Thanks to everyone who shared their expertise and real-world examples - this community knowledge sharing is invaluable!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding Social Security taxation! I'm currently helping my elderly parents navigate their 2024 tax return and was completely lost on how their SS benefits would be taxed. The step-by-step breakdown that @Kaitlyn Jenkins provided really clarified the provisional income calculation for me. I had been making the mistake of trying to apply the 50% or 85% percentages directly to their total Social Security benefits, not realizing there's actually a more complex formula involved. One question I have after reading through all these examples - if someone receives Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) rather than retirement benefits, do the same taxation rules apply? My neighbor mentioned she receives SSDI and wasn't sure if she needed to worry about the provisional income thresholds. Also, I'm curious about the timing of when Social Security benefits are considered "received" for tax purposes. My dad's December benefit was actually deposited in early January 2025 due to banking holidays. Does that count toward 2024 or 2025 for tax purposes? Thanks to everyone who's shared their knowledge and experiences here - this is exactly the kind of practical guidance that makes these confusing tax rules manageable!